Periodontics
Gingivectomy in Los Angeles
Taking tissue away, rather than reshaping what is there.
Where gum has overgrown or is diseased beyond recovery, removing it is what lets the area be cleaned and kept clean. Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry performs it with a soft-tissue laser.
The distinction
Removal, not reshaping
The distinction matters because the two procedures are constantly confused. Gingivoplasty — described on our gum contouring page — reshapes existing tissue to improve function and appearance. A gingivectomy removes tissue. They are sometimes done in the same appointment, and they are still not the same operation. The reason to be clear about it is that they answer different questions. Reshaping is usually about how a gum line looks; removal is usually about what can be kept clean. Where gum has overgrown across the teeth, or has been damaged past the point of reattaching, the tissue itself is what creates the trap that holds plaque — and contouring the edge of it does not change that.
When it is needed
When tissue needs removing
Removal is warranted when the tissue is the problem, rather than the shape of it.
- Overgrowth Gum that has enlarged over the teeth, which can happen for several reasons including as a side effect of some medications.
- Pockets that cannot be maintained Where excess tissue is what creates the pocket, removing it removes the trap. See gum disease.
- Tissue beyond recovery Where diseased gum will not reattach however well the area is cleaned.
- Access for restorative work Sometimes alongside crown lengthening, though that is a different intent again.
Done with a laser
Soft tissue is where laser dentistry earns its place, and it is one of the technologies in this office — see the technology page.
Treating the cause too
If overgrowth is medication-related or driven by inflammation from plaque, removing the tissue without addressing why it grew is a temporary fix. That is what scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance are for.
What we have not stated
Healing time and how the tissue settles depend on the extent of the surgery and on you. Ask at the consultation and you will get an answer about your own case.
Gingivectomy FAQ
- What is the difference between gingivectomy and gingivoplasty?
- Gingivectomy removes gum tissue. Gingivoplasty reshapes the tissue that is there. They are sometimes done together but they are different procedures.
- Why would gum need removing?
- Overgrowth, tissue that is diseased beyond recovery, or excess tissue that creates a pocket which cannot be kept clean.
- Is it done with a laser?
- Yes — soft tissue is where laser dentistry is most useful, and it is one of the technologies in this office.
- Will the overgrowth come back?
- If the cause is not addressed, it can. Where it is driven by plaque or by medication, that has to be part of the plan.
